Missing Mate

Missing Mate
BILLY

I arrived at the Moon Crest Pack’s territory just as the sun was setting, my wolf Julius restless inside me. I had planned to demand to see Shanella, to make her look me in the eye and tell me she really wanted Brad over me. But the moment I stepped out of my truck, I was met with a wall of angry glares.

Brad was standing at the front steps of the pack house, his chest heaving, his fists clenched. The second his eyes landed on me, he pointed a finger straight at my chest and roared.

“You!” he shouted, his voice shaking with fury. “Tell us where you hid Shanella! You and Gwen were behind this, weren’t you?”

I froze, stunned. “What the hell are you talking about?” I said, frowning. “I don’t know what you mean. Gwen said she met Shanella earlier today, yes—but Shanella left. What happened?”

Brad’s face twisted with rage. “She’s missing!” he snarled, his wolf bleeding through his voice. “No one has seen her since she left that coffee shop. Her car was found abandoned. And you—your mate—was the last one to see her!”

My stomach turned to stone. Missing? No. That couldn’t be right. Shanella was strong, smart—she wouldn’t just disappear.

“Brad, calm down,” I said, holding up my hands. “I didn’t even know she was gone until right now. Gwen told me she just left the coffee shop and that was it. I swear, I didn’t touch Shanella.”

“Liar!” Brad’s wolf broke through, his eyes glowing gold. “You’ve wanted her from the moment you saw her! You’ve been circling her like a vulture, waiting for her to leave me so you could take her. This is exactly what you wanted!”

A growl ripped out of my throat before I could stop it. “You think I would kidnap the only female I—” I stopped myself just before I said too much. “The only female that matters to me?” I finished through gritted teeth.

Alpha Ethan appeared then, his face grim, his presence commanding silence. “Enough!” he barked, his Alpha power rolling through the courtyard. Even Brad stopped growling, though his chest still heaved with anger.

“Billy,” Alpha Ethan said, his voice deep and cold. “Where is Shanella?”

I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze. “I don’t know, Alpha. I came here because I wanted to see her, to talk to her. Gwen told me they met earlier today. She didn’t tell me anything else.”

“Gwen,” Brad spat, glaring at me like I was poison. “Of course it was Gwen. That snake has hated Shanella from the start. And you—you're either too stupid to see it or you’re helping her.”

“I am not helping her!” I snapped, my wolf bristling inside me. “Yes, Gwen and I have history. But I would never let anyone hurt Shanella.”

Brad’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. “If I find out you’re lying to me, Billy—if I find out you knew about this—”

“You won’t,” I growled back. “Because I don’t.”

Julius rumbled inside me, restless, pacing. Something’s wrong, he said. This doesn’t feel like a random disappearance. Gwen was too calm when she spoke to us earlier. Too careful.

I clenched my jaw, my gut twisting. Could Gwen have done this? She had been distant since last night, quiet. But she had also been smug, smiling to herself when she thought I wasn’t looking.

No. I didn’t want to believe it.

Alpha Ethan stepped closer, his eyes hard. “Billy, if you care for my daughter at all, then you will prove it. You will help us find her.”

I nodded without hesitation. “I will. Whatever it takes.”

Brad scoffed, but Alpha Ethan’s expression softened slightly. “Good. Because if I find out you were involved…” His voice turned to steel. “I will have your head.”

I inclined my head respectfully. “Then you’d better hope you’re wrong, Alpha.”

Without waiting for permission, I shifted into my wolf. My bones cracked, my muscles stretched, and Julius surged forward, taking control. His black fur bristled, his teeth bared.

We find her now, Julius growled. We track her scent from the coffee shop. If Gwen had anything to do with this, we will know.

I didn’t argue. I didn’t even think about arguing.

Brad shifted beside me, his golden wolf bristling with anger. For a moment, our wolves locked eyes, and the air between us was electric, full of challenge and fury.

“Enough posturing,” Alpha Ethan commanded. “Go. Both of you. Bring Shanella back.”

I took off running, Julius’ powerful legs eating up the ground as we made our way toward the coffee shop. Brad ran alongside me, his growls a constant warning, but I didn’t care.

I needed to find Shanella.

I needed to know she was safe.

And if Gwen had anything to do with this…

My claws dug into the earth as we ran faster.

Then nothing will save her from us, Julius growled. Not her tears, not her lies. We end this.

My lips curled in a snarl. “Agreed,” I whispered, even though no one could hear me.